Security and tracking system

ABSTRACT

A security and tracking apparatus is provided, comprising at least two signaling units in communicating proximity, and means for identifying the location of the signaling units. In one embodiment, a security and tracking apparatus is provided, comprising at least two signaling units in communicating proximity, and means for identifying and automatically transmitting the location of the signaling units when the signaling units are separated by more than a preselected distance. In a preferred embodiment, a method is provided to locate a person, an animal, or a material asset, comprising providing in contact with the person, animal, or material asset, at least two signaling units in communicating proximity, wherein at least one signaling unit is small and hidden and securely attached to the person, animal, or material asset, and the signaling units having means for identifying the location of the signaling units to a monitoring station; activating means for identifying the location of the signaling units by referencing the global positioning satellite (GPS) system; and notifying the monitoring station of said geographic location.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. Ser. No. 09/538,193 filedMar. 30, 2000 and now U.S. Pat. No. 6,510,380, which claims benefit ofU.S. application Ser. No. 60/127,028, filed Mar. 31, 1999.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

This invention is directed to a security and tracking system andapparatus, and a method used to in identify the location of anindividual in an emergency situation, the location of a missing animal,or the location of a missing material asset.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

There is a recognized need for improved personal security and emergencyresponse capability. In situations where an individual is injured, lost,or abducted, immediate notification of an emergency situation to a locallaw enforcement or emergency response organization is required tomaintain the safety of the individual and to avoid tragic circumstances.

Today's technology provides automatic identification of caller locationsin emergency situations via wireline telephone companies. With thistechnology, a caller dials a 911 telephone number, and a computeraccesses the caller's number in a street directory. This technologycurrently falls short in the case of wireless communications and insituations where there is no phone available. The importance ofemergency response is demonstrated by the FCC mandate, in two phases, ofWireless 911 for the identification of a relevant public safetyanswering point. This mandate still falls short of necessary safetyrequirements in situations of abduction or kidnapping, physical ormental incapacitation, and other emergency situations remote fromavailable wireless communications. These situations require a securityand tracking apparatus that is not limited in range and is able toautomatically identify the location of an individual in an emergencysituation.

The prior art describes a variety of alarms and tracking systems, all ofwhich suffer from at least two fundamental deficiencies. These systemsare exemplified by U.S. Pat. No. 5,731,785 which describes a singlesignaling unit carried by an individual, object, or vehicle. If thesignaling unit is separated from the individual, object, or vehicle,tracking is no longer possible and the system fails. Moreover, thesesystems fail to address the circumstances of individuals who arehelpless in an emergency situation such as abduction or kidnapping, orphysical or mental incapacitation.

The present invention is directed to providing, without geographicconstraints, a security and tracking apparatus with overt and covertsignaling units in communicating proximity on an individual, animal, ormaterial asset, with a fully automated system to rapidly and reliablyindicate location on demand and automatically upon removal of an overtsignaling unit.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A security and tracking apparatus is provided, comprising a firstsignaling unit having means for identifying the location of saidsignaling unit, and a second signaling unit in communicating proximitywith the first signaling unit, the second signaling unit having meansfor identifying the location of said second signaling unit.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention provides a security andtracking system comprising a first signaling unit having means foridentifying the location of said signaling unit, a second signaling unitin communicating proximity with the first signaling unit, the secondsignaling unit having means for identifying the location of said secondsignaling unit, and a monitoring station capable of receivinginformation identifying the location of the signaling units.

In another preferred embodiment, a method is provided to locate aperson, animal, or object, comprising providing in contact with theperson, animal, or object, at least two signaling units in communicatingproximity, each said signaling unit having means for identifying thelocation of said signaling unit, and activating said means to identifythe location.

DRAWING FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a schematic of a security and tracking system in accordancewith an embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to FIG. 1, the present invention is a security and trackingsystem comprising a first signaling unit 10 having means for identifyingthe location of said signaling unit; and a second signaling unit 20 incommunicating proximity with the first signaling unit, said secondsignaling unit having means for identifying the location of said secondsignaling unit.

In one embodiment, the security and tracking system of the presentinvention includes means for transmitting the location of each signalingunit automatically when the signaling units are separated more than apreselected distance. To provide the greatest possible degree ofsecurity, it is necessary for the system to signal immediately andautomatically in the case of an emergency situation. Examples of suchsituations include the removal of one of the associated signaling unitsfrom an individual in a kidnapping or abduction situation, theft of amaterial asset containing a signaling unit, and the like.

In another embodiment, the security and tracking system of the presentinvention includes means for receiving an initiating signal foractivating the transmission of information identifying the location ofthe signaling units. This initiating signal may originate from amonitoring station 30 or other remote location. The security andtracking apparatus of the present invention, therefore, allows a parentor guardian to determine the location of an individual in their care ifthey discover that the individual is missing or may be in an emergencysituation. Likewise, the owner of a pet or material asset may determinethe location of the animal or material asset in the case of theft orloss. The transmission of information identifying the location of thesignaling units may also be initiated by one of the signaling units,which is vital in a medical emergency or abduction situation, or by anindependent signaling unit.

The signaling units of the present invention have numerous capabilitiesand options, including capabilities for analog or digital signalprocessing, transmitting, and receiving. Components of the signalingunits may include, but are not limited to, a power source, an antenna, areceiver, a microprocessor, an electronic switch, a sensor, a signalgenerator, a timer circuit, and an optional microphone and video camera.The preferred power source is a battery, but power may also be suppliedby other means, for example, by mechanical motion or a battery charger.The signaling units may contain a global positioning satellite (GPS)system antenna, and may also contain additional types of antennas, forexample, a cellular telephone antenna, radio antenna, etc., depending onhow information and data is desired to be exchanged with the GlobalPositioning System, the monitoring station, etc.

The signaling units may receive information via a GPS receiverprocessor, cellular telephone receiver, radio receiver, and the like. Amicroprocessor may be used to match and verify a code that uniquelyidentifies each signaling unit. Electronic switches, sensors, and timingcircuits may be used for manual signals or to determine emergencysituations for signaling, such as the absence of a periodic signal froma first signaling unit to a second signaling unit. The periodic signalmay utilize radio waves, infrared technology, ultrasonic technology,mobile document application language (Modal) technology, software at themonitoring station, or any other known means. A manual switch ispreferably configured to prevent accidental activation, for example, aninternal switch or button that may be activated after opening asignaling unit, but which cannot be activated by accidental bumping.Signal generators may be any type of transmitter that can send aperiodic signal to another signaling unit or an emergency signal to amonitoring station.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the means for identifyingthe location of the signaling units utilizes at least one of the groupconsisting of the global positioning satellite (GPS) system, low earthorbit satellites, geostationary satellites, other types of satellites,and a cellular network. Examples of low earth orbit satellites include,but are not limited to, the type specified for Motorola's Iridiumsystem. Cellular networks continue to proliferate and the coverage ofsuch networks also continues to increase, but some locations remain outof range of existing cellular networks. Complete coverage of allpossible locations is desired, with use of more than one systempreferred for purposes of redundancy and reliability. It is preferredfor the means for identifying the geographical location of the signalingunits to utilize the global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

The global positioning satellite (GPS) system is a space-basedpositioning, velocity, and time system that has three major segments:(1) space, (2) control, and (3) user. The GPS space segment is composedof 24 satellites in six orbital planes. The satellites operate incircular 20,200 km orbits at an inclination angle of 55 degrees with a12-hour period. The spacing of satellites in orbit is arranged so that aminimum of five satellites are in view to users worldwide. Eachsatellite transmits on two band frequencies, 1575.42 MHz and 1227.6 MHz.The GPS control segment has five monitor stations which use a GPSreceiver to passively track all satellites in view and thus accumulateranging data from the satellite signals. The information from themonitor stations is processed at a master control station to determinesatellite orbits and to update the navigation message of each satellite.This updated information is transmitted to the satellites via groundantennas, which are also used for transmitting and receiving satellitecontrol information. The GPS user segment consists of antennas andreceiver processors that provide positioning, velocity, and precisetiming to users.

The GPS concept is predicated upon accurate and continuous knowledge ofthe spatial position of each satellite in the system with respect totime and distance from a transmitting satellite to the user. Eachsatellite transmits unique data which is periodically updated by amaster control station based upon information obtained from five widelydispersed monitor stations. Each satellite continuously transmits acomposite spread spectrum signal at 1227.6 and 1575.42 MHz. The GPSreceiver makes time-of-arrival measurements of the satellite signals toobtain the distance between the user and the satellites. These distancecalculations, together with range rate information, are combined toyield system time and the three dimensional position and velocity of theuser with respect to the satellite system. A time coordination factorthen relates the satellite system to Earth coordinates. The GPS system,therefore, is a space based positioning system that provides threedimensional position, velocity and time information to suitably equippedusers anywhere on or near the surface of the Earth. The GPS systemprovides continuous worldwide three-dimensional coverage, and systemcapacity is unlimited.

The GPS system provides two services for position determination,standard positioning service (SPS) and precise positioning service(PPS). Accuracy varies with the capability of the user's equipment. Thestandard positioning service (SPS) is the standard specified level ofpositioning and timing accuracy that is available without qualificationor restrictions to any user on a continuous worldwide basis. Theaccuracy of this service is established by the U.S. Department ofDefense based on U.S. security interests, and provides on a daily basisat any position worldwide, horizontal positioning accuracy within 100meters. The precise positioning service (PPS) is the most accuratepositioning, velocity, and timing information continuously availableworldwide from the basic GPS system. This service is limited toauthorized United States and allied federal governments, authorizedforeign and military users, and eligible civil users, and provides apredictable positioning accuracy of 22 meters horizontally and timeinterval accuracy within 90 nanoseconds. In another embodiment of thepresent invention, differential methods may be used to provide increasedpositioning accuracy.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least onesignaling unit is adapted to be hidden. The present invention thusprovides a sophisticated security apparatus which may contain both acovert component and an overt component. An overt component in asecurity system may be easily noticed and either circumvented or copied,and the real security lies in a covert component, which is not easilyseen, recognized, or circumvented. In the present invention, at leastone signaling unit is covert or hidden, and at least one signaling unitmay be overt and not hidden. An overt unit is obvious and easilyrecognized, and a kidnapper or abductor would be expected to remove theunit and throw it away. In the case of prior art systems where the onlysignaling unit was overt, the unit itself could be tracked, but anindividual separated from the unit would be lost once the unit wasremoved. In the present invention, a signal will be generatedimmediately when the associated signaling units are separated more thana preselected distance, and all signaling units are able to be tracked.This feature is extremely important, since an individual could be takenmiles away within minutes of being abducted.

In an embodiment of the present invention where at least one signalingunit is adapted to be hidden, it is an advantage if the signaling unitis small. A small signaling unit allows it to be hidden more easily, andalso allows the unit to be incorporated into a plurality of articles. Asignaling unit of the present invention may be incorporated into amolded article, an extruded article, a sewn article, and the like. Theincorporation of a signaling unit into an article may be effected by anyknown manual or automated manufacturing method. The mode of attachmentof a signaling unit may also be an adhesive, preferably a pressuresensitive adhesive.

The signaling units of the present invention may be incorporated into awearable article. Examples of a wearable article include, but are notrestricted to, at least one of an article of clothing, a shoe, a watch,a wristband, a bracelet, an identification card, an article of jewelry,a hair accessory, eyeglasses, and an animal collar.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least onesignaling unit is securely attached to an individual. A very importantfeature of the security and tracking apparatus of the present inventionis its utility for personal security for children, individuals withphysical disabilities, individuals with mental disabilities, forexample, Alzheimer patients, individuals in wilderness areas, and anyother individuals who might encounter an emergency situation. Thesignaling units of the present invention may be configured for secondaryoperations which may include, but are not limited to, receiving ortransmitting video signals or audio signals, the monitoring ofphysiological functions in order to determine the presence of emergencysituations, and the like. The security and tracking apparatus of thepresent invention can also aid in the apprehension of individualsresponsible for abduction and kidnapping and, therefore, contribute tooverall public safety.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one signalingunit is securely attached to an animal. The present invention hasutility for the security and tracking of pets and may also be used withany other animal for any other purpose such as scientific study, theassurance of public safety, etc.

In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one signalingunit is securely attached to a material asset. A signal will begenerated when a material asset containing a signaling unit is separatedmore than a preselected distance from an associated signaling unit whichmay be carried by the owner of the asset or kept in the desired locationof the asset. Examples of material assets include, but are not limitedto, a credit card, a wallet, a cellular phone, a pager, a motor vehicle,a boat, an aircraft, a television, a radio, a stereo, a tape player, acompact disc player, a camera, a movie camera, a computer, a printer, alaptop computer, a briefcase, a suitcase, a weapon, an article ofclothing, an article of jewelry, and an article of artwork. Multiplesignaling units may also be placed in various components of a materialasset, for example in a cellular phone and stereo of a motor vehicle aswell as in the motor vehicle itself, so that the individual componentsmay be traced in the case of their separation, such as the stripping ofa motor vehicle after theft. The security and tracking apparatus of thepresent invention can also aid in the apprehension of individualsresponsible for the theft of the material asset and, therefore,contribute to overall public safety. The signaling units of the presentinvention may be configured for secondary operations which may include,but are not limited to, receiving or transmitting video signals or audiosignals, the disabling of firearms which have been separated from theirowners, and the disabling of motor vehicles which have been separatedfrom their owners.

It is preferred for the signaling units to be in a passive mode when thesignaling units are in close or communicating proximity. An active modein the absence of an emergency situation would unnecessarily drainavailable power in signaling units containing batteries, so a passivemode is preferred in non-emergency situations.

The information identifying the geographical location of the signalingunits may be transmitted continuously. In an emergency situation, acontinuous signal transmitting information identifying location isexpected to be most accurate. The availability of a continuous signalmay be limited by available power. The information identifying thelocation of the signaling units may also be transmitted intermittently.An intermittent signal at appropriately short intervals can be used toconserve power.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the information identifyingthe location of the signaling units is provided in an encrypted form.For the ultimate in security, it may be important in certain situationsto send information in encrypted form to prevent the information frombeing used by individuals such as thieves, kidnappers, etc. tocompromise the safety of individuals, animals, or material assets thatthe security system is designed to protect.

In a preferred embodiment, the present invention is a security andtracking system comprising a first signaling unit 10 having means foridentifying the location of said signaling unit, a second signaling unit20 in communicating proximity with the first signaling unit, said secondsignaling unit having means for identifying the location of said secondsignaling unit, and a monitoring station 30 capable of receivinginformation identifying the location of said signaling units. Thelocation of the signaling units will be transmitted to the monitoringstation automatically when the signaling units are separated more than apreselected distance. In an additional embodiment, the monitoringstation includes a means for transmitting information identifying thelocation of the signaling units from the monitoring station to a remotereceiver 40. The location of the remote receiver may be the home or workaddress of a parent or guardian of an individual, the home or workaddress of the owner of a pet, the home or work address of the owner ofa material asset, a missing child organization or other serviceorganization, a newspaper publisher, a radio station, a televisionstation, a law enforcement agency facility, a law enforcement vehicle,an emergency response vehicle, an emergency care facility, etc. In apreferred embodiment, the location of the remote receiver is one of aservice organization, a law enforcement agency facility, a lawenforcement vehicle, an emergency response vehicle, and an emergencycare facility.

The means for identifying the location of the signaling units mayinvolve the use of satellite systems such as the GPS system or low earthorbit satellites, radiolocation, cellular networks, or any other methodknown to those skilled in the art. The method by which the monitoringstation receives information identifying the geographic location of thesignaling units may involve the use of satellite systems, radio signals,television signals, telephone communications, cellular communications,internet communications, or any other communication means known to thoseskilled in the art. It is preferred to have systems in place to transmitinformation by more than one method to provide speed, accuracy, back-up,and reliability for the security system.

The means for transmitting information identifying the location of thesignaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver mayinvolve the use of satellite systems, radio signals, television signals,telephone communications, cellular communications, internetcommunications, or any other communication means known to those skilledin the art. It is preferred to have systems in place to transmitinformation by more than one method to provide speed, accuracy, back-up,and reliability for the security system.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is a method tolocate a person, animal, or object, comprising providing in contact withthe person, animal, or object, at least two signaling units incommunicating proximity, each said signaling unit having means foridentifying the location of said signaling unit, and activating saidmeans to identify the location.

In one embodiment, the method of the present invention includesautomatically activating the transmission of the location of thesignaling units when the signaling units are separated more than apreselected distance. To provide the greatest possible degree ofsecurity, it is necessary for the location of the signaling units to betransmitted immediately and automatically in the case of an emergencysituation. Examples of such situations include the removal of one of theassociated signaling units from an individual in a kidnapping orabduction situation, theft of a material asset containing a signalingunit, and the like.

In another embodiment, the method of the present invention includesinitiating the transmission of information identifying the location ofthe signaling units upon receiving instructions from a remote source.The transmission of information identifying the location of thesignaling units may be activated by one of the signaling units or by asignal from a monitoring station. In an additional embodiment, at leastone signaling unit is small and is hidden in a wearable article. Apreferred method for obtaining the location of the signaling unitsutilizes the global positioning satellite (GPS) system.

In a preferred method of the present invention, the signaling units areoperated in a passive mode when they are in close or communicatingproximity. An active mode in the absence of an emergency situation wouldunnecessarily drain available power in signaling units containingbatteries, so a passive mode is preferred in non-emergency situations.The information identifying the location of the signaling units may alsobe transmitted continuously. In an emergency situation, a continuoussignal transmitting information identifying location is expected to bemost accurate. The availability of a continuous signal may be limited byavailable power. The information identifying the location of thesignaling units may also be transmitted intermittently. An intermittentsignal at appropriately short intervals can be used to conserve power.The information identifying the location of the signaling units may alsobe provided in an encrypted form. For the ultimate in security, it maybe important in certain situations to send information in encrypted formto prevent the information from being used by individuals such asthieves, kidnappers, etc. to compromise the safety of individuals,animals, or material assets that the security system is designed toprotect.

In another preferred embodiment, the present invention is a method tolocate a person, animal, or object, comprising providing in contact withthe person, animal, or object, at least two signaling units incommunicating proximity, each said signaling unit having means foridentifying the location of said signaling unit, and activating saidmeans to identify the location of the signaling units to a monitoringstation. The location of the signaling units may be provided within anunlimited range.

In a more preferred embodiment, a method of the present inventionprovides for the transmission of the location of the signaling unitsfrom a monitoring station to a remote receiver. The location of theremote receiver may be the home or work address of a parent or guardianof an individual, the home or work address of the owner of a pet, thehome or work address of the owner of a material asset, a missing childorganization or other service organization, a newspaper publisher, aradio station, a television station, a law enforcement agency facility,a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency response vehicle, an emergencycare facility, etc. In a preferred embodiment, the location of theremote receiver is one of a service organization, a law enforcementagency facility, a law enforcement vehicle, an emergency responsevehicle, and an emergency care facility.

Additional information may also be transmitted to the remote receiver.For a security and tracking system for an individual, the additionalinformation transmitted to the remote receiver could include, but is notlimited to, the physical description of the individual, a picture of theindividual, fingerprints, etc. For a security and tracking system for ananimal, the additional information transmitted to the remote receivercould include, but is not limited to, the physical description of theanimal, a picture of the animal, etc. For a security and tracking systemfor a material asset, the additional information transmitted to theremote receiver could include, but is not limited to, the physicaldescription of the material asset, a picture of the material asset, aregistration number, a serial number, etc. In the case of a motorvehicle, the description may include a picture of the vehicle and themake, model, year, color, and license plate number of the vehicle, etc.

In the present invention, the method for transmitting informationidentifying the geographical location of the signaling units from themonitoring station to a remote receiver may be accomplished using anyknown means of communication, which includes, but is not limited to,radio waves, a computer network such as the internet, a telephonenetwork, a cellular network, television transmissions, and the like. Inone embodiment, the information identifying the geographical location ofthe signaling units is transmitted from the monitoring station to aremote receiver using low earth orbit satellites or the globalpositioning satellite (GPS) system. In a preferred embodiment, multipleforms of communication are used to provide redundancy and back-up in thecase of failure of one or more communication systems.

It is preferred for the monitoring station to have a continuous abilityto transmit information to the remote system at any time. The monitoringstation is preferably computer controlled with recording capability andautomatic and direct communication links to identified remote receiverdevices which may be in the possession of individuals such as a parentor guardian in the case of a security system for an individual, an ownerin the case of a security system for an animal or material asset, or atthe location of a service organization, for example, a missing childorganization, and emergency and law enforcement agencies in thegeographic vicinity of the signaling units. The monitoring station mayoptionally employ human operators, and may, as described above, transmitadditional information to the remote receiver.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the geographical location ofthe signaling units is identified with an accuracy of about 100 meters.In a preferred embodiment, the geographical location of the signalingunits is identified with an accuracy of about 22 meters, or, morepreferably, an accuracy of a few meters.

The signaling units of the present invention are not limited ingeographic range from the monitoring station. Any restriction ingeographic range, as in prior art security systems, would limit theeffectiveness of the security apparatus. Through the utilization of theGPS system and other systems, the security and tracking apparatus of thepresent invention is able to perform without geographic rangerestrictions.

The following examples illustrate security and tracking systems andapparatus in accordance with the present invention.

EXAMPLE 1

A security and tracking apparatus is assembled with two small signalingunits incorporated into (1) a medical bracelet and (2) a wallet for anAlzheimer's patient. The signaling units each contain a battery powersupply, a GPS antenna, a GPS receiver processor, a radio antenna, aradio receiver, and a radio transmitter. Upon a telephone request fromthe caregiver of the patient, a monitoring station sends a radio signalto the signaling units instructing the units to identify theirgeographical location. The signaling units receive the radioinstructions from the monitoring station, send signals to the globalpositioning satellite (GPS) system, and receive return signals from theGPS identifying their geographical locations. Radio signals are thensent from the signaling units to the monitoring station identifyingtheir geographic locations. The locations of the units are transmittedfrom the monitoring station to the caregiver via telephonecommunication.

EXAMPLE 2

A security and tracking apparatus is assembled with two small signalingunits incorporated into (1) a medical bracelet and (2) a wallet for anAlzheimer's patient. The signaling units each contain a battery powersupply, a GPS antenna, a GPS receiver processor, a radio antenna, aradio receiver, a radio transmitter, a cellular telephone antenna, acellular telephone receiver, and a cellular telephone transmitter. Thefirst signaling unit sends a periodic radio signal to the secondsignaling unit. Upon loss of the wallet, the two signaling units areseparated more than a predetermined distance, and the periodic radiosignal from the first signaling unit is no longer received by the secondsignaling unit. The loss of the periodic signal causes each signalingunit to automatically send a signal to the global positioning satellite(GPS) system and receive a return signal from the GPS identifying itsgeographical location. A cellular telephone signal is automatically sentfrom each signaling unit to the monitoring station identifying itsgeographic location. The location of each unit is transmitted bytelephone communication from the monitoring station to the caregiver ofthe patient and to a law enforcement agency in the geographic vicinityof the two signaling units (the lost wallet and the patient wearing themedical bracelet).

EXAMPLE 3

A security and tracking system is assembled, comprising two smallassociated signaling units incorporated into a visible wristwatch and ahidden ankle bracelet on a child, and a monitoring station capable ofsending transmissions to and receiving transmissions from the signalingunits. The signaling units each contain a battery power supply, a GPSantenna, a GPS receiver processor, and an antenna, receiver, andtransmitter capable of communication with low earth orbiting satellites.Upon a telephone request from the parent or guardian of the lost child,the monitoring station sends a signal to the signaling units via lowearth orbiting satellites instructing the units to identify theirgeographical location. The signaling units receive the instructions fromthe monitoring station, send signals to the global positioning satellite(GPS) system and receive return signals from the GPS identifying theirgeographical locations, and transmit this information to the monitoringstation via low earth orbiting satellites. The locations of the unitsare transmitted via cellular communication from the monitoring stationto the parent or guardian and to a law enforcement agency in thegeographic vicinity of the signaling units, and a video picture anddescription of the child is also transmitted to the law enforcementagency.

EXAMPLE 4

A security and tracking system is assembled, comprising two smallassociated signaling units incorporated into a visible wristwatch and ahidden ankle bracelet on a child, and a monitoring station capable ofsending transmissions to and receiving transmissions from the signalingunits. The signaling units each contain a battery power supply, a GPSantenna, a GPS receiver processor, a radio antenna, a radio receiver, aradio transmitter, a cellular telephone antenna, a cellular telephonereceiver, and a cellular telephone transmitter. The first signaling unitsends a periodic radio signal to the second signaling unit. Uponabduction of the child, the abductor removes the wristwatch, the twosignaling units are separated more than a predetermined distance, andthe periodic radio signal from the first signaling unit is no longerreceived by the second signaling unit. The loss of the periodic signalcauses each signaling unit to automatically send a signal to the globalpositioning satellite (GPS) system and receive a return signal from theGPS identifying its geographical location. A cellular telephone signalis automatically sent from each signaling unit to the monitoring stationidentifying its geographic location. The location of each unit istransmitted by telephone communication from the monitoring station tothe parent or guardian of the child and to a law enforcement agency inthe geographic vicinity of the two signaling units (the removedwristwatch and the child wearing the hidden ankle bracelet), and a videopicture and description of the child is also transmitted to the lawenforcement agency.

While the present invention has been explained in relation to itspreferred embodiments, it is to be understood that various modificationsthereof will become apparent to those skilled in the art upon readingthe specification. Therefore, it is to be understood that the inventiondisclosed herein is intended to cover such modifications as fall withinthe scope of the appended claims.

We claim:
 1. A security and tracking apparatus comprising: (a) a firstsignaling unit having means for identifying the location of said firstsignaling unit; (b) a second signaling unit in communicating proximitywith the first signaling unit, said second signaling unit having meansfor identifying the location of said second signaling unit; and, (c)means for transmitting the location of said signaling units when thefirst and second signaling units are separated by more than apreselected distance.
 2. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1,wherein said means for transmitting the location of said signaling unitsis automatically activated when the first and second signaling units areseparated by more than the preselected distance.
 3. The security andtracking apparatus of claim 1, including means for receiving aninitiating signal for activating the transmission of informationidentifying the location of the signaling units.
 4. The security andtracking apparatus of claim 1, including means for initiating thetransmission of information identifying the location of the signalingunits by one of the signaling units.
 5. The security and trackingapparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one of the signaling units isadapted to be hidden.
 6. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1,wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling unitsincludes antenna means for communicating with the global positioningsatellite (GPS) system.
 7. The security and tracking apparatus of claim1, wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling unitsincludes antenna means for communicating with low earth orbitsatellites.
 8. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe means for identifying the location of the signaling units includesantenna means for communicating with a cellular network.
 9. The securityand tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unitis small enough to be able to be hidden in a wearable article.
 10. Thesecurity and tracking apparatus of claim 9, wherein at least onesignaling unit is incorporated into at least one of an article ofclothing, a shoe, a watch, a wristband, a bracelet, an identificationcard, an article of jewelry, a hair accessory, eyeglasses, and an animalcollar.
 11. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein atleast one signaling unit is securely attached to an individual.
 12. Thesecurity and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least onesignaling unit is securely attached to an animal.
 13. The security andtracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein at least one signaling unit issecurely attached to a material asset.
 14. The security and trackingapparatus of claim 13, wherein at least one signaling unit isincorporated into at least one of a credit card, a wallet, a cellularphone, a pager, a motor vehicle, a boat, an aircraft, a television, aradio, a stereo, a tape player, a compact disc player, a camera, a moviecamera, a computer, a printer, a laptop computer, a briefcase, asuitcase, a weapon, an article of clothing, an article of jewelry, andan article of artwork.
 15. The security and tracking apparatus of claim1, wherein at least one signaling unit is incorporated into at least oneof a molded article, an extruded article, and a sewn article.
 16. Thesecurity and tracking apparatus of claim 1, wherein the mode ofattachment of at least one signaling unit is an adhesive.
 17. Thesecurity and tracking apparatus of claim 16, wherein the mode ofattachment of at least one signaling unit is a pressure sensitiveadhesive.
 18. The security and tracking apparatus of claim 1, whereinthe signaling units are in a passive mode when said signaling units arein communicating proximity.
 19. The security and tracking apparatus ofclaim 1, including means for transmitting a continuous signal.
 20. Thesecurity and tracking apparatus of claim 1, including means fortransmitting an intermittent signal.
 21. The security and trackingapparatus of claim 1, including means for transmitting an encryptedsignal.
 22. A security and tracking system comprising: (a) a firstsignaling unit having means for identifying the location of said firstsignaling unit; (b) a second signaling unit in communicating proximitywith the first signaling unit, said second signaling unit having meansfor identifying the location of said second signaling unit; (c) meansfor transmitting the location of said signaling units when the first andsecond signaling units are separated by more than a preselecteddistance, and (d) a monitoring station capable of receiving informationidentifying the location of said signaling units.
 23. The security andtracking system of claim 22, wherein said monitoring station includes ameans for transmitting information identifying the location of thesignaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver. 24.The security and tracking system of claim 23, wherein the location ofthe remote receiver is one of a law enforcement agency facility, a lawenforcement vehicle, an emergency response vehicle, and an emergencycare facility.
 25. The security and tracking system of claim 22,including radio wave transmitting means for transmitting the informationidentifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoringstation to a remote receiver.
 26. The security and tracking system ofclaim 22, including internet connecting means for transmitting theinformation identifying the location of the signaling units from themonitoring station to a remote receiver.
 27. The security and trackingsystem of claim 22, including telephone connecting means fortransmitting the information identifying the location of the signalingunits from the monitoring station to a remote receiver.
 28. The securityand tracking system of claim 22, including cellular communicating meansfor transmitting the information identifying the location of thesignaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver. 29.The security and tracking system of claim 22, including low earth orbitsatellite communicating means for transmitting the informationidentifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoringstation to a remote receiver.
 30. The security and tracking system ofclaim 22, wherein the means for identifying the location of thesignaling units includes antenna means for communicating with the globalpositioning satellite (GPS) system.
 31. The security and tracking systemof claim 22, wherein the means for identifying the location of thesignaling units includes antenna means for communicating with low earthorbit satellites.
 32. The security and tracking system of claim 22,wherein the means for identifying the location of the signaling unitsincludes antenna means for communicating with a cellular network.
 33. Amethod to locate a person, animal, or object, comprising: (a) providingin contact with the person, animal, or object, at least a firstsignaling unit and a second signaling unit, said second signaling unitin communicating proximity with said first signaling unit, each saidsignaling units having means for identifying the location of saidsignaling units and means for transmitting the location of saidsignaling units when the first and second signaling units are separatedmore than a preselected distance; and (b) activating said means toidentify the location.
 34. The method of claim 33, includingautomatically activating the transmission of the location of thesignaling units when said signaling units are separated by more than thepreselected distance.
 35. The method of claim 33, including initiatingthe transmission of information identifying the location of thesignaling units upon receiving instructions from a remote source. 36.The method of claim 33, including signaling the units from a monitoringstation to initiate the transmission of information identifying thelocation of the signaling units.
 37. The method of claim 33, includingactivating one of the signaling units to initiate the transmission ofinformation identifying the location of the signaling units.
 38. Themethod of claim 33, wherein at least one signaling unit is small, andwherein providing said signaling unit includes hiding said small unit ina wearable article.
 39. The method of claim 33, including obtaining thelocation of the signaling units from the global positioning satellite(GPS) system.
 40. The method of claim 33, including obtaining thelocation of the signaling units within an unlimited range from amonitoring station.
 41. The method of claim 33, including operating thesignaling units in a passive mode when said signaling units are incommunicating proximity.
 42. The method of claim 33, includingcontinuously transmitting the information identifying the location ofthe signaling units.
 43. The method of claim 33, includingintermittently transmitting the information identifying the location ofthe signaling units.
 44. The method of claim 33, including transmittingin an encrypted form the information identifying the location of thesignaling units.
 45. The method of claim 33, including transmitting theinformation identifying the location of the signaling units to amonitoring station.
 46. The method of claim 45, including transmittingthe information identifying the location of the signaling units from themonitoring station to a remote receiver.
 47. The method of claim 46,including transmitting additional information from the monitoringstation to a remote receiver.
 48. The method of claim 46, includingtransmitting the description of an individual from the monitoringstation to a remote receiver.
 49. The method of claim 46, includingtransmitting the description of an animal from the monitoring station toa remote receiver.
 50. The method of claim 46, including transmittingthe description of a material asset from the monitoring station to aremote receiver.
 51. The method of claim 46, including transmitting theinformation identifying the location of the signaling units from themonitoring station to a remote receiver using radio waves.
 52. Themethod of claim 46, including transmitting the information identifyingthe location of the signaling units from the monitoring station to aremote receiver using the internet.
 53. The method of claim 46,including transmitting the information identifying the location of thesignaling units from the monitoring station to a remote receiver using atelephone network.
 54. The method of claim 46, including transmittingthe information identifying the location of the signaling units from themonitoring station to a remote receiver using a cellular network. 55.The method of claim 46, including transmitting the informationidentifying the location of the signaling units from the monitoringstation to a remote receiver using low earth orbit satellites.
 56. Themethod of claim 46, including transmitting the information identifyingthe location of the signaling units with an accuracy of about 100meters.
 57. The method of claim 46, including transmitting theinformation identifying the location of the signaling units with anaccuracy of about 22 meters.